Johnson was arrested and ticketed for drunken driving after the crash happened about 3:30 p.m. near Chandler and State roads in DeWitt Township.

Since October 2010, Michigan motorists whose blood-alcohol content levels are .17 or higher face heightened penalties. A first-time drunken driving offense while "super drunk" is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, nearly double the 93-day limit for traditional drunken driving first offenders.

"Super drunk" perpetrators are also banned from driving for 45 days and placed on 320 days of restricted driving, during which time an ignition interlock device must be in place in the offender's vehicle.

The "super drunk" law also carries stiffer fines. A traditional drunken driving charge can yield fines between $100 and $500, whereas "super drunk" fines range from $200 to $700. "Super drunk" offenders are also required to undergo alcohol treatment for at least one year.

DeWitt Township police are investigating the criminal matter of Johnson, a 17-year Lansing police veteran. The Lansing Police Department Office of Internal Affairs will investigate once the criminal investigation is complete to determine whether the sergeant violated the department's policies and procedures.

"All allegations of complaints against Lansing police officers are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated," Lansing Police Chief Teresa Szymanski said in a statement. "The allegation against this LPD sergeant is disappointing and if found true will not be tolerated."

Potential penalties for Johnson range from a counseling statement to termination, according to the department.

Johnson is scheduled for a pretrial conference in Clinton County District Court on Friday.